FRESHWATER MOLLUSC STUDIES - A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

SUMMARY

My contribution reviews some of the research activities of the Snail Research Unit. Taking Unit. Taking some liberties on the chronological order, the transition is traced from the species descriptions of the early years, the extensive field surveys, laboratory experimentations, through to the extensive field surveys. laboratory experimentations, through to the ecological field and laboratory studies of the more recent years. Some noteworthy discoveries are mentioned and the joys and tribulations of freshwater snail research are reflected in an anecdotal style; e.g., the ‘X-factor’ in the Vaal River, an ‘earth-shaking’ discovery and the dream situation of unlimited assistance during a field survey.

KEYWORDS:

• Freshwater molluscs
• snail research
• South Africa
• review